Switch



Aug. 29, 1939. M. NELsEN ET A1.

SWITCH Filed March 9, 1937 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INSULATION INSULATION a N 6 0 6 m fr. l a n L v C@ Q MH@ g y, 6j 4. 2% mf W 71 Hw 7o M- NH. V um f INSULATION 7% 487 90 fndejaf 5.

lNsULATloN Aug.29,1939. M. NELSEN mL 2,111,044

SWITCH Filed March 9, 1957 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 J9@ jd 23 j :l z y V111', l.36 29 gaz 50 56a J9 4j |N5ULAT|UN 44 47 J0 Qiizii 2 T'f'/ 'Lllnl Y 65 lNSULAT 0N 4Z J5 J6 f 55 O o o C) @D j y 76 J9@ f5 Aug. 29, 1939. M. NELsEN x-:r Al.

SWITCH Filed March 9, 1937 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 NSULATION lNULATION Patented Aug. 29, 1939 UNITED ,STATES PATENT oFFicE SWITCH Appueauon Maren 9, 1937, serial No. 129,990 l 1 Claim.

This invention relates to switches for electrical circuits. and more particularly to step-up switches adapted for completing in sequence; and/or simultaneously, portions of a plurality of different electrical circuits for immediate or subsequent actuation of mechanisms, or devices, or formaintaining certain circuits, while breaking others and completing portions of still other' circuits. Switches of this type generally include l!) one or more contact ngers adapted to engage in a certain sequence a series of contact buttons for completing portions of electric circuits, and

wherein either the fingers or the buttons are movable for registration in the manner indicated.

Devices of the type embodying the present invention are particularly suitable for use in electrical systems where it is desired to control in a predetermined sequence the making and breaking of a plurality of different electricalcircuits, such as for controlling the sequence of -operation of certain mechanisms or devices, as signal or alarm systems used in conjunction with the starting or stopping of machines. For exf 5 ample, such a switch may be included in circuit with a timer or clock, suitable for causing operation of the switch at suitablegpredetermined intervals of time.

Switches of this type may also be advanta- 30 geously employed in conjunction with certain amusement devices or games, such as coin-con trolled "pin, games. In such devices or games the switch is actuated in response to operation of coin-controlled devices, and by virtue of which portions of one or more electrical circuits may be completed. Such circuits, when completed, usually energize lampskicker devices and sundry other devices,`and in some instances such circuits are completed by the player moving a part of the game device, suchas the projection of a ball in a pocket on the surface of the game, wherein a switch is located and is closed by the weight of the ball. A subsequent operation of the coincontrolled mechanism may make all new circuit connections or portions of additional circuits.

One of the objects of this invention resides in the provision of a novel and improved form oi' step-up switch adapted to be operated by a solenoid connected in a main control circuit and by virtue of which said switch, each time it is operated, completes in sequence, and/or simultaneously,portions of a plurality of diierent electrical circuits.

Another object is to provide an improved drivay maintain some and establish ing mechanism fory a step-up switch which is simple in construction and positive in operation.

A further object is to provide in an improved form of step-up switch having a plurality of separated rotatable contact iingers, a novel conl struction and arrangement of means providing circuit connections with each of said fingers.

Still another object is to provide, in a switch of the character indicated. a plurality of separated, rotatable, radially aligned contact ngers l0 movable as a unit into registration with a plurality of individual concentric series of contact buttons. l

Other objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent from the following description, l5 taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a front elevation of the step-up switch embodying the present invention.

Figure 2 is a top plan View of the switch. 20

Figure 3 is a rear elevation of the switch showing the driving mechanism.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary rear elevational view showing the driving mechanism retracted, ready for re-adjustment of contact fingers. 26

Figure 5 is an end elevation of the switch.

Figure 6 is an enlarged, fragmentary front view of a portion of the panel containing contact buttons and the contact ilngers and their mounting. a0

Figure 7 is a section through the contact nger assembly, taken at line 'l-l on Figure 6.

In the embodiment of our invention illustrated in the drawings the switch includes a base I 0, herein shown as of rectangular form, on which is secured a support I2, preferably formed of sheet metal. Said support includes an upstanding supporting panel I2a and a transverse foot I2b which is secured to said block by screws indicated at Il. Mounted along the rear edge of 40 the block is a strip of insulating material I5 carrying a bank of transversely separated contact clips I6, each having an upstanding ear I6, to each of which may be soldered or otherwise attached the end of a conductor wire. Mounted on 46 `the upper surface of the block, adjacent one end,

is a block of insulating material l5 on which is mounted another bank of contact clips I6 having projecting ears to `which the ends of conductor wires may be attached. 50

Mounted in front of, and in spaced relation to, the upstanding support portion I2u is a vertically disposed circular panel of insulating material I 8, the face of which is provided with a plurality of concentric series of spaced-apart contact buttons 55 vdicated at 24.

i9. Said series of buttons are herein shown as iive in number, with the buttons of' the respective series disposed in radial alignment. Said panel i8 is secured to the support |26 by a plurality of screws 2|, with spacer sleeves 22 mounted on the screws between the panel i8 and the support |25. Each contact button includes a shank I9a extending through to the rear face of said panel i8, and to these shanks are connected conductor wires, indicated at 23. As may be seen in Figure 3, some conductor wires connect to one contact button, and others to a plurality ofcontact buttons of the same concentric series, while in other instances a conductor wire is connected to one' or more buttons of several series of buttons. These wires ,are trained around the back of the panel i8 and support |26, andare bound together, as a cable, as by means of the sheath in- The ends of said wires are soldered to the projections i6 of certain of the contact clips I6, to which may be connected conductor wires leading to Various .mechanisms and/or devices which are to be operated upon the completion of certain electrical circuit connections through the contact buttons i9, as hereinafter described. y

Extending through, and projecting laterally `ybeyond, opposite faces of the assembled panel i@ and support l2a is a horizontally disposed drive shaft 26, which is located centrally with respect to said concentric series of contact buttons i9. Connected to, and projecting from, the back side of the support panel l2a is a hub 2l providing journal support for said shaft, and lxedly associated with said shaft adjacent the end of the hub is a ratchet wheel 2B for rotating said shaft. Said wheel is rotated by a driving pawl 29, pivoted at 3u on a depending arm Si, the upper end of which is journaled on the shaft. A collar 33 is secured by a pin S4 to the rear end of the shaft 'to confine said arm 3| in position thereon. Pivotally mounted on a stud 85 on the back of support panel l2 is a check pawl 36, yieldingly maintained in contact with the teeth of the ratchet wheel i28 by a coil spring 31 connected at one end to said pawl and at the other end to said support. This check pawl is constructed and positioned to prevent reverse rotation of the ratchet wheel, such as might occur by the frictional drag of the driving pawl 29 over the teeth of the ratchet Wheel upon retraction of said pawl.

The driving paw] 28 is yieldingly maintained in properrelation to the teeth of the ratchet wheelby a coil spring I9 connected to said pawl and to said depending arm 3|. The lower por-y tion of said arm is connected to a reciprocating armature 40 of a solenoid 4| mounted on the back of the support panel |28. The end of the amature is slotted to accommodate the arm, and is provided with a transversely extending pin 4|)a extending through a vertically elongated slot 3|I of the arm to provide a driving connection therebetween, and permitting freedom of movement of the arm 3| as it is swung about the axis of the shaft 26. The outer or free end of the armature 40 carries a pivot link 42, to which one end of a coil spring 43 is connected, thef other end being connected to a bracket 44, connected to the support panel I2, When the solenoid is energized the armature'fis retracted, tensioning -the spring 43, which serves to withdraw the armature when the solenoid is de-energized by breaking of its electric circuit. It will be manifest that each time the armature is retracted the Y arm 8| is swung to the position seen in Figure 4, positioning the pawl 28 in registration with the next tooth of the ratchet wheel 28, so that when the armature is returned to initial position by spring 43 the pawl 29 drives the ratchet wheel. To properly position the pawl at the end of its strokwwhich, inturn, limits the outward movement of the armature, a stop bracket 46 is provided on said support panel |25. Said bracket is provided with a, pair of slots 46B through which extend anchoring screws 41 to permit exact adjustment of the stop for arresting -the pawl 29 at a proper position.

Connected in series with the solenoid circuit is a normally closed switch 5D carried on a bracket 5| secured to the rear of the panel support |2. Said switch includes a pair of yieldable switch arms 50B and 5t", the arm 50B extending beyond the end of the other arm and carrying a small plug 52 of insulating material which is positioned to be-engaged by a resilient a-rm connected to the switch 5u. This switch is opened to break the solenoid circuit when the amature 4|) has been retracted, so that the armature and arm 3| are returned to initial position by spring 4I, and causing the pawl 29 to rotate the ratchet wheel 28. The switch is opened by a snap-toggle device comprising an inverted T-shaped lever 55, of insulating material, pivoted at 58 on said sup- Connected to the end of the leg of said member is a projection`5`| adapted, when the device is swung about its pivot, to engage the resilient arm 53 which, in turn, causes the switch arm 50B to move out of engagement with the arm 50h, breaking the solenoid electric circuit.

The opposite ends of the cross-member of the'- lever 55 are adapted to alternately engage stop `blocks 58, carried on support i2 for limiting the amount of swing of the lever about its pivot.

'v To insure accurate and proper opening of the switch the stop blocks are formed of circular outline and are eccentrically mounted for insuring arresting the lever 56 at proper positions. Connected to the projection Slis a coil spring 58, the opposite end of which is connected to the lower end of the depending arm 3|, and the parts are so positioned in relation to each other that the spring which serves as the means for swinging the lever 55 is disposed at .either side of the pivot 58 and is tensioned by the movement of the arm 3| when actuated by the solenoid armature, so that as it"passes beyond `the pivot the spring rapidly returns the lever 5F to its other position of adjustment.

It is to be understood that the solenoid is connected in a separate main electrical control circuit, independent of the circuits completed through contact buttons I9. As for example,

' when the device is employed in connection with games or amusement devices of the character above indicated, the solenoid may be connected in an electric circuit that is established by the actuation of a main control device, such as the coin-operated mechanism. In the device, as herein illustrated, 'the solenoid is provided withk current conductor wires 6| and 62, .the latter being connected to switch arm of switch 50,

while the other switch arm 5|Ii is connected to ay conductor wire 62, whereby the switch and slenoidare connected in a series circuit. The free ends of conductors 6| and 63 are connected to contact clips IB, as may be seen in the drawings. To take the load off of the contact points of the switch arms 50* and 50h, and to prolong their life, a condenser 64 lis connected in 75 parallel circuit with said switch arms, by conductor wires 65 and 66. For convenience said condenser is mounted by means of a clip 61 to the support I2 above said switch 50.

In the construction herein shown the contact buttons I9 of the respective series are spaced apart an angular amount equal to the angular amount of movement of the ratchet wheel 28 each time it is driven by the pawl 29, due to operation of the solenoid 4I. Supported on said shaft 26 in front of the panel I8 is a radially extending arm of insulating material, having an integraihub 1ua joumiued on a hub 1|a 'of a collar 1I, secured on the shaft by a set screw 12 with a collar 13 interposed between the collar and the panel I8. The end of the hub 1I extends beyond insulating hub 10, and is threaded to receive a nut 14. The face of the arm 10 adjacent the panel is provided with a longitudinal groove in which are mounted, in radially spaced apart insulated relation, the ends oi a plurality of radially spaced and aligned resilient contact fingers 16, one for each concentric series of contact buttons. Said fingers are secured to the arm by fastening members, such as rivets 11, which project to the outer face of the'arm. The free ends of said fingers are adapted to align with a contact button of a respective series. Mounted on the hub 1li of said arm is a plurality of current-conducting collector rings 1I, one for each finger 16, said rings being axially spaced apart by washers 19 of insulating material. Similar washers are also provided at opposite ends of said series of rings, and the outer washer and the end of hub 1l* are engaged by the nut 14 to firmly clamp the parts in assembled relation, and thereby provide a friction drive for said arm carrying the contact fingers 16. Said arm, collector rings and washers, are provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart apertures, disposed in alignment to form ducts Il, through which extend the respective conductor wires 6I. Said conductor wires 8| are connected to the rivets 11, associated with the respective contact fingers 16, theends of which conductor wires are connected to the respective collector rings 18.

Associated with each of the respective collector rings is a resilient pick-up finger l1, the ends of which fingers are maintained in yielding contact with the rings at any angular position of adjustment thereof. The opposite ends of each pick-up finger are mounted in insulated relation in al laminated block 68 of insulating material, which is secured to a bracket 80 connected to the support I 2, as seen in the drawings. The pick-up fingers yare enclosed in a shield 90 connected to the bracket 89. Connected to the respective pick-up ilngers are current conductor wires 9i, the opposite ends of which are connected to contact clips I6, as seen in the drawings.

It will now be apparent ,that each time the solenoid II is energized the-driving mechanism above described causes the arm 1I to rotate an angular amount to dispose all of the contact ngers 16 in registration with the next successive contact button I9 of the respective series. As above described, suchl re-adjustment of the contact fingers with a new set of buttons may break one or more previously established portions of different electrical circuits for actuating devices, or mechanisms, or such re-adjustment may complete portions of some, or all new and different circuits through the engaged contact buttons.

Obviously, the number of contact fingers, rings and pick-up fingers, as well as the number and arrangement of the contact buttons, may be varied to suit the particular requirements of such a step-up switch. It will be apparent that by virtue of our novel switch construction it is possible to automatically complete, in sequence, and/or simultaneously, portions of a plurality of diiTere-nt electrical circuits in a simple, positive and expeditious manner, by merely completing a main control circuit which includes thev solenoid II.

Although we have herein shown and described a preferred embodiment of our invention, manifestly it is, capable of modification and re-arrangement without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. We do not, therefore, wish to be understood as limiting this invention to the precise embodiment herein disclosed, except as it may be so limited in the appended claim.

We claim:

In combination, a support, a panel member carried by the support and having a plurality or concentric series of spaced-apart insulated contact buttons on one face, conductor wires connectedto said buttons, a shaft extending through the support and panel member, an arm member of insulating materialmounted on said shaft, a contact finger for each series of buttons, said ilngers being mounted on said arm and having their free ends adapted to engage said buttons, a plurality of axially spaced-apart current collector rings mounted on the shaft, means insulating said rings from each other and from the shaft, electrical conductors connecting each nnger with one of said rings, said rings and insulating means therefor being secured to said arm member to form a unitary assembly, said assembly being provided with a plurality of axially aligned openings to form ducts through which said last-mentioned conductors extend for connection to the respective rings, pick-up fingers carried on the support and engageable with the respective rings, means insulating said pick-up fingers from' each other and the support, and electrical conductors connected to the respective pick-up fingers for completing portions of certain electrical circuits through the engaged contact buttons, one of said members being shiitable about the axis of the shaft for aligning said contact fingers with other contact buttons.

MARVIN NELSEN. moan oBszARNY. 

